PSXI-31 Methane Emissions by Cattle Grazing Tannin-Containing Legumes

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Animal Science

Volume

96

Issue

suppl_3

Publisher

American Society of Animal Science

Publication Date

12-7-2018

First Page

223

Last Page

224

Abstract

Tannin-containing legumes like birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) and sainfoin (SAIN) may enhance the efficiency of energy and protein use in ruminants relative to grasses and other legumes such as alfalfa (ALF). In addition, synergisms among diverse combinations of forages may further contribute to improve the efficiency of nutrient utilization, approaching values attained by feeding grain-based rations in confinement. We tested the effects of grazing monocultures of (1) ALF, (2) BFT, (3) SAIN or (4) a three-way choice of these legumes on cattle performance, intake and methane emissions. Twelve pairs of heifers (366 ± 46.2 kg) grazed three spatial replications of the aforementioned four treatments in a completely randomized block design. Animals grazed during 2 periods of 22-d each and composited forage and fecal samples were collected during five consecutive days at the end of each period to estimate apparent digestibility, using ADL as an internal marker. Fecal output was measured using an external marker (Cr2O3) dosed once a day for 9 days. Fecal output along with digestibility data were used to estimate dry matter intake (DMI). Methane emissions were assessed using the sulfur hexafluoride technique during each 5-d collection period. Results were analyzed as a completely randomized block design with spatial replication (random effect) nested within treatments, and day and period as the repeated measures. Heifers grazing the three-way choice showed greater DMI and ADG than animals grazing monocultures (P < 0.10; Table 1), suggesting a synergism among pastures. In addition, g methane emissions/kg of gain tended to be lower (14 to 24% range) for the three-way choice than for monocultures (pre-planned contrast three-way choice vs. monocultures; P = 0.12; Table 1). In summary, combinations of tannin-containing legumes and alfalfa yielded the compounded benefits of improved animal gains and reduced environmental impacts per kg of BW gain.

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